ESA Policy News Feb. 3: Policymakers react to Flint water crisis, ESA selects 2016 GSPA winners, ESA Past president honored

Here are some highlights from the latest ESA Policy News by Policy Analyst Terence Houston. Read the full Policy News here. 

EPA: FLINT WATER CRISIS GETS ATTENTION FROM WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS

On Jan. 16, the president signed an official state of emergency declaration for Flint Michigan in light of the city’s drinking water crisis. The action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the region of Genesee County, MI.

In January, House Energy and Commerce Committee members sent a bipartisan letter to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy requesting a briefing on the water crisis in Flint, MI.

The letter was led by Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Environment and Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) and Environment and Economy Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NJ).

On Feb. 3, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee became the first congressional committee to hold a hearing on the Flint water crisis.

Click here to view the congressional hearing. Click here to view the White House statement on the emergency declaration. Click here to view the House letter.

PUBLIC HEALTH: ZIKA VIRUS DECLARED INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY

On Feb. 1, leaders of the World Health Organization declared the spread of the Zika virus as a global health emergency and predicted as many as four million cases expected across Central and South America.

Human migration, climate change, and urbanization are cited as factors that may contribute to the spread of these diseases. Rising global temperatures and longer periods of warm weather aide both mosquito breeding cycles and the expansion of their geographical range. Human communities provide multiple sources of standing water that serve as breeding grounds for the insects, which include flower pots and drainage ditches.

Click here to view a White House fact sheet on the Zika virus.

NSF: NSB REPORT HIGHLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL TRENDS IN RESEARCH INVESTMENT

On Jan. 19, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) National Science Board released its biennial Science and Engineering Indicators report.

The report highlights United States lead throughout the world in its investment in research and development (R&D), but notes that China, South Korea, and India are rapidly increasing their investments. According to the report, China is now the second-largest performer of R&D, accounting for 20 percent of global R&D. The United States accounts for 27 percent of global R&D.

China leads the United States as the world’s number one producer of undergraduates with degrees in science. China graduates 49 percent of science bachelor’s degrees, compared to 33 percent of bachelor’s science degrees given in the United States.

Click here to view the full report.

ESA 2015 ANNUAL REPORT: CELEBRATING OUR PAST & LOOKING TO OUT FUTURE

ESA turned 100 this year. It was a moment to take stock not only of our past, but of the future of ecology, its relevance to the future of the biosphere, and the role of humans as planetary stewards.

There is a significant change to the ESA 2015 Annual Report this year. We moved to an online format that allows multimedia content and gives readers an option to click through for more details on specific highlights and projects. Our program and focal areas provide a snapshot of activities conducted by the ESA staff and members.

POLICY ENGAGEMENT: ESA ANNOUNCES 2016 GSPA RECIPIENTS

The Ecological Society of America selected the 2016 recipients of its annual Graduate Student Policy Award: Brian Kastl (University of California), Kristen Lear (University of Georgia), Matthew Pintar (University of Mississippi), Timothy Treuer (Princeton University), Jessica Nicole Welch (University of Tennessee), and Samantha Lynn Werner (University of New Hampshire).

The six students will travel to Washington, DC to participate in policy training sessions as well as meetings with their US Representative and Senators on April 27-28, 2016. On Capitol Hill, they will team with other scientists to discuss with lawmakers the importance of federal funding for the biological sciences, particularly the National Science Foundation.

NSF: PAST ESA PRESIDENT HONORED WITH MEDAL OF SCIENCE AWARD

Ecological Society of America Past-President Simon Levin (1990-1991) is among eight recipients of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) National Medal of Science award.

Levin is also a recipient of the MacArthur Award, the Distinguished Service Citation and ESA’s Eminent Ecologist Award.

Created by statute in 1959, the National Medal of Science was and is administered for the White House by NSF. Awarded annually, the medal recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering. The president receives nominations from a committee of presidential appointees based on their extraordinary knowledge in and contributions to the sciences.

Click here to view the recipients.